Utilization of granulated blast furnace slag and cement in the manufacture of compressed stabilized earth blocks

This study involves the investigation on utilization of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) and cement in the manufacture of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB). Two locally available soils from Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka, India were tested for their index and strength properties with replacement of granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS). An optimum percentage of replacement of GBFS was established and then varying percentages of cement was added for the production of compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEBs). This stabilized soil was used for the manufacture of blocks of size 305 mm × 143 mm × 105 mm. All the blocks were cast to a target density, followed by the curing for 28 days. The blocks were subjected to compression test and water absorption test according to Indian Standard (IS) specifications. The test results showed that the CSEBs prepared with GBFS and cement can be utilized in masonry for load bearing wall construction. A small percentage of cement is sufficient for manufacturing the CSEBs when optimum GBFS content is replaced with that of soil, thereby reducing the energy consumption.